Matt Serra: Terror in the Ring, or flash in the pan?

I’ve written here more than once that Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is bigger than boxing. CBS plans to air Elite XC beginning in May and NBC is considering a show.

The main brand for Mixed Martial Arts is Ultimate Fighting Championship (the UFC), which gained fame once taken over by Dana White and streamlined to showcase MMA stars. Its breakout hit The Ultimate Fighter is the biggest reason MMA is now mainstream. Simply put: Network execs run to where they see money. There may be some blood in the cage, but the overriding hue is green, as in cash.

Which leads us to the case of Long Island born and bred Matt Serra, aka Matt “The Terror’ Serra. Great post 9-11 nickname Matt. He’s the former UFC Welterweight champ who gets another shot Saturday on Pay Per View.

Serra, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu stylist, runs two schools on the Island. His pro record stood at 7-4 before winning The Ultimate Fighter 4: The Comeback (the show featured guys whose careers were on the verge of ending-a “last chance” to continue the dream type of scenario.)

VIDEO AND MORE AFTER THE JUMP...

Problem #1: I don’t think Serra won the final against Chris Lytle. Serra was awarded the split decision. At best for Matt, it was a draw, not a win. I almost wonder if Dana White did his best Vince McMahon to move things along. You’d almost think (and I believe my pal Stingray in Levittown may agree) that White wanted to make sure that the outgoing and some say abrasive personality of Serra was kept in the UFC fold.

Problem #2: Serra got the UFC contract and the opportunity to face welterweight champ Georges St-Pierre a year ago. St-Pierre was the huge favorite after beating the legendary Matt Hughes for the title. The Canadian seemed off his game right away, and Serra won by KO -though I thought it was a little quick with the stoppage. More than one person, including some on a fairly large MMA forum, thought the outcome of the fight was fixed better than a puppy at the North Shore Animal League.

Click here to see Serra beat St. Pierre for the UFC Welterweight Title last April >>>

Serra was next scheduled to fight Hughes following a rowdy coaching stint on The Ultimate Fighter. The two men made no bones about their dislike for each other. But a mysterious herniated disc postponed the fight. I say mysterious because despite his injury, Serra is at every UFC Pay Per View, taking in the adulation of fight fans while living off one great night of glory. Why isn’t he busting his hump to win back the title? In the meantime, St. Pierre beat Hughes again for the interim title -and can’t wait to get another shot at Serra.

So now it’s put up or shut up time for Serra. He’ll be fighting Saturday in Montreal -St. Pierre’s backyard. What better place to prove he’s a true champion rather than a guy who can’t say no to a photo op?

Prediction: GSP: KO ROUND 2

Watch Serra prepare for Saturday's fight, and more: